Safety and efficacy of a natural mixture of illite, montmorillonite and kaolinite (Argile Verte du Velay) as a feed additive for all animal species

The additive, a natural mixture of illite, montmorillonite and kaolinite with a minor amount of calcite and sanidine, is intended to be used as a technological additive (functional groups: binders and anticaking agents) in feedingstuffs for all animal species. The additive is safe in complete feed for cattle for fattening at a maximum concentration of 50,000 mg/kg and at a maximum concentration of 20,000 mg/kg for piglets and pigs for fattening. No conclusions can be drawn for all the other animal species/categories. The additive is not genotoxic. As the additive is essentially not absorbed from the gut lumen, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed considers that use of the additive in animal nutrition is safe for consumers of food products from animals fed diets containing the additive. The additive is not an irritant to the eyes and the skin and it is of low toxicity by the inhalation route. No systemic toxicity is expected following dermal exposure. Due to its nickel content, the additive should be considered a potential dermal and respiratory sensitiser. The components of the additive are natural constituents of soil. Consequently, the use of the additive in animal nutrition will not pose a risk to the environment. The additive is effective as an anticaking agent and a binder at an inclusion rate of 50,000 mg/kg complete feed.